``It's a new administration, and he wanted to take a look at it,'' said Boukus, who discussed the project with Rowland during a meeting last month. ``You know he's in favor of business, and he wants to work with out-of-state developers.''

In their meeting, Boukus said, Rowland proposed meeting with officials from Wilmorite Inc. of Rochester, N.Y., and the state Department of Transportation to discuss the $47 million in road improvements DOT set as a prerequisite. The requirement has held up the $260 million mall project.

``Gov. Rowland knew of the project,'' said Boukus, who was an outspoken mall supporter when she was chairwoman of the town council. ``I told him how important it is to Plainville.''

The DOT already has suggested a meeting with Wilmorite to discuss the improvements to I-84, but Wilmorite has not responded, DOT spokesman William Keish said. Wilmorite officials were not available for comment Wednesday.

Town officials had offered to help pay for the road improvements and had lobbied state officials for additional funds. Town officials have said the improvements are needed even if the mall is not built.

If it were built, supporters have said, the 1.3-million-square-foot mall on New Britain Avenue would create 4,000 permanent jobs and produce $20 million in state tax revenue annually.